Free to Be Mindful Podcast | Helping Professional Moms Find Calm in a Busy World · Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC

Building the Future of Latino Mental Health via the Futuro Fund

·22 min·1 clip

The first gala raised $8,000 and funded two $4,000 scholarships for students who will graduate this year.

1. Free to Be Mindful Podcast centers this episode on the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey and its Futuro Fund scholarship program. 2. Vanessa, a licensed therapist and mom coach, hosts Dr. Angela Vargas, a licensed psychologist, Via Psychology owner, and inaugural Futuro Fund board member. 3. The episode asks how LMHANJ turned a gala idea into scholarships for Latinx mental health students in New Jersey. 4. LMHANJ traces its roots to the Latino Psychological Association of New Jersey, which started with psychologists in Robert McCormick’s basement. 5. The association rebranded into LMHANJ and expanded to social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, and students. 6. Angela describes the group’s purpose as building greater voice, greater representation, and unity in the Latino community. 7. Vanessa previews the annual conference at The College of New Jersey as a two-day event with both educational and experiential sessions. 8. Conference topics named on air include immigration stories, the Afro-Latino experience, astrology, and EMDR. 9. The agenda also includes yoga, breath work, and keynote speaker Dr. Jennifer Mullen on decolonizing therapy. 10. Vanessa says conference attendees leave energized and connected through breakfast, lunch, sessions, and a Friday evening happy hour. 11. Angela explains that the annual gala began when LMHANJ turned 25 years old and became a space for celebration and community. 12. The first gala raised $8,000 and funded two $4,000 scholarships for students graduating this year. 13. Angela says the scholarship idea began as “let’s create a scholarship” for Latino students in mental health in New Jersey. 14. She stresses that the work felt large at first but became manageable once the group committed to doing it. 15. The Futuro Fund name reflects the board’s focus on investing in “our future” through financial support and emotional support. 16. Angela says applicants value mentors who understand their stories and have “walked in their footsteps.” 17. The conversation is warm, affirming, and conversational, with Vanessa and Angela speaking as longtime colleagues and friends. 18. The episode mixes advocacy, association history, and practical fundraising details with a promotional call for donations. 19. People interested in Latino mental health advocacy and student scholarships will likely want this episode. 20. People seeking a short, entertainment-focused listen without nonprofit context may skip it.

As heard by us

A steady, grounded look at how one focused effort can move mental health work forward.

The episode treats Latino mental health as something built in community, not handled alone. Vanessa talks with a guest from the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey and moves from a 25-year celebration to a scholarship for Latino students in mental health, which gives…

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A warm push toward community care, with a scholarship story that turns ideas into action.

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